By Ziyah News Reporter
Former opposition parliamentarian and political prisoner Job Sikhala has been released following his arrest on Saturday, alongside 38 other activists of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), during a political meeting in Mutare, Manicaland.
Sikhala stated that the gathering was solely an executive meeting intended to discuss the progress made in the consultative process occurring throughout the country.
Sikala who was previously imprisoned for two years, was acquitted of all charges in 2024, found himself in the hands of the police again.
According to reports, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) raided the private resort where the NDWG executive members were meeting, assaulting and detaining them for several hours.
Upon their arrest, the group was initially charged under Section 7 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA).
Describing the incident, Sikhala remarked that the raid resembled a scene from a poorly scripted movie, following what he said were multiple visits by members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and CID Law and Order police officers.
He argued that MOPA does not apply to private meetings.
“MOPA does not sanction the notification of executive meetings. It’s like Zanu PF seeking police clearance to hold its Politburo meetings,” he stated.
“The law only talks of holding public meetings, processions or demonstrations in public places. The meeting we held was in a bush at Beats of Forest and wondered how it turned out to be a public place,” he added, clarifying that NDWG is not a political party.
Sikhala recounted how a Toyota Hilux with dark windows and five members of the CIO arrived first, followed by another unmarked vehicle with police intelligence members.
He stated that while an NDWG official engaged with the police, riot police and armed officers arrived, escalating the situation.
“The other AK47-wielding police officer pointed his gun at Dr. Zembe, screaming ‘I am going to shoot you’,” he said, emphasizing the tense atmosphere.
Sikhala also expressed dissatisfaction with their treatment during transportation to the police station amid heavy rain.
“Rains pounded on us from Beats of Forest to Penhalonga Police Station. We all got so wet that we looked like drowned rats when we finally arrived,” he said.
Upon arrival, they were made to sit on a dirty floor while their details were recorded.
Their arrest has revived memories of a similar crackdown in June last year when Senator Jameson Timba and 78 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists were detained for commemorating the Day of the African Child.
They spent six months in jail before being released.